Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor has remained nothing if not consistent sitting at the head of Uxbridge’s municipal table. A pillar of her campaign four years ago was to fight against commercial fill being brought into Uxbridge and she continues to do so to this day. She did, however, have to step away from the mayoral seat for a few weeks earlier this year -- in the midst of budget talks -- due to surgery. She is back in her chair now and often provides a voice of reason in the back-and-forth discussions between councillors, especially when it comes to financial issues and decisions. Solid at the Region, staying on track during debates.

Jack Ballinger

Regional Councillor

This year’s grade: B

Last year’s grade: B

Attendance 20/20 council. 18/19 committee,

Regional council 13/13, committees 31/33

Expenses: $3,068.32 (Township), $3,140.97 (Regional)

Councillor Jack Ballinger, as he has in the past, puts his two cents in when it comes to voice an opinion on matters that hit home. He also is always among the first to get the word out about many community events, including the Huck Finn Fishing Day, the Walk-A-Thon for the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter and others. Coun. Ballinger was against a plan to pull money from the playground fund to pay for an accessible playground unit at Elgin Park. That decision meant other parks in need of equipment upgrades would be put off for at least a year. Brings enthusiasm to the Region, cheerleading Uxbridge’s interests.

Bev Northeast

Ward 1

This year’s grade: B

Last year’s grade: B

Attendance 20/20 council, 19/19 committee

Expenses: $3,441.33

Councillor Bev Northeast continues to speak her mind at council, never hesitating to get a word in edgewise on issues affecting her ward or the Township as a whole. Coun. Northeast continues to fight for the Thomas Foster Memorial -- the Taj Mahal-inspired mausoleum in Uxbridge -- which is in need of an array of repairs. Coun. Northeast also continues to battle against the ever-increasing truck traffic that plagues her small Goodwood community.

Pat Molloy

Ward 2

This year’s grade: B+

Last year’s grade: B

Attendance 20/20 council, 19/19 committee

Expenses: $4,375.95

As chairman of the finance committee, Councillor Pat Molloy was front and centre during budget discussions for 2014, a tough job well done in an election year, which raises his grade this time around. Uxbridge’s tax increase was 5.5 per cent, including $100,000 for future rehab and maintenance of infrastructure assets. Coun. Molloy called it a “responsible budget”. Recently, Coun. Molloy spoke out on concerns he had for the future of craft breweries locally should alcohol sales in convenience stores and gas stations become legal, saying it will be the death knell to craft brewing locally. He also spoke out in support of the local fire department when response times were questioned.

Pat Mikuse

Ward 3

This year’s grade: B

Last year’s grade: B

Attendance 20/20 council, 19/19 committee

Expenses: $4,375.95

Still at the forefront of promoting Uxbridge as a tourist destination, Councillor Pat Mikuse rubbed some in the community the wrong way with her promotion of a Toronto-based toy drive at Christmas last year. However, she gains marks for her continued efforts to work with residents living near Uxbridge Shooting Sports who have complained ad nauseam about the noise emanating from the club. She brought some ideas to the table for the club to follow through with sound prevention measures to help make life more enjoyable for nearby residents.

Jacob Mantle

Ward 4

This year’s grade: B+

Last year’s grade: B

Attendance 19/20 council, 16/19 committee

Expenses: $4,491.49

A rookie on council when he was elected four years ago, Jacob Mantle seemed more and more comfortable in his Ward 4 seat as the years passed. His youthful exuberance often brings a fresh perspective to conversations and debates. He’s not afraid to voice an opinion on subjects he feel passionate about -- even if those opinions aren’t popular with his colleagues. Earlier this year he threw his support behind the expansion of beer and liquor sales province wide, saying it’s time for the government’s monopoly on those sales to end. He doesn’t back down, and his improved grade reflects his growth in his position.

Gord Highet

Ward 5

This year’s grade: B+

Last year’s grade: B

Attendance 19/20 council, 18/19 committee

Expenses: $3,750.32

Gord Highet continues to be the soft-spoken member of council, though he remains open-minded and doesn’t hesitate to chime in when he feels he can add to or help resolve a debate. He was against sticking stop signs up at an intersection on Cemetery Road, saying there were better solutions to curb residents’ concerns about safety on the street. He was on side with a plan from a local resident that could help alleviate some of the flood concerns that have plagued Uxbridge’s downtown core. Coun. Highet continues to urge the Township to develop a long-term plan for future budgets as the amount of available grant money gets scaled back. His tenacity on the Township’s financial picture earns him an improved grade this year.